Chapter 14

The next day I train hard with LeAnn.

Once we finish, LeAnn leaves while I go to the kitchen. Freddie is preparing some breakfast but looks rather glum. He is cutting fruit.

When he sees me, he smiles. A smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"You looked rather sad a couple of seconds ago. What's wrong?" I ask him as I go to the fridge and grab my green juice.

Freddie sighs. "Good morning, and nothing is wrong. Stop assuming things, or you'll get premature wrinkles, that will lead to botox."

I squint at him as I sit at the barstool. "Ouch! Fine, don't tell me. Where's Joe?"

I begin drinking my juice when he jumps up on the island and crosses his legs in front of me, Indian style.

"I think we're on a break."

His confession makes me choke on my juice. I put my bottle down and grab a napkin on the counter, cleaning my chin.

"No! Why?! Is it because of everything that happened this week?" I am so confused.

I just spoke to Joe last night! He was upset about everything that happened, but I didn't think he would leave!

Freddie swallows hard as he looks out of the window. He looks so devastated. My heart breaks for him.

"Among other things," Freddie sighs. "Joe said he felt out of place here. Everyone here has a role and doesn't fit in. He feels like he is stepping on our toes. Especially Ryder's."

"On top of that, he's been freaking out. A lot! Which confuses me because he is so supportive. He keeps telling me he will protect me and always love me and..." Freddie pauses and throws his hands in the air, exhaling.

"And then nothing! Yesterday he just seemed sad and paranoid. He started talking about his stalker coming back, and I don't know. I guess with Fallon and that big storm, it had him thinking, what if she got in and killed us all? He told me he talked with you, but it made him feel even worse."

"Also...we've never had sex," Freddie whispers nervously.

Freddie's revelation shocks me again. I compose myself quickly because I don't want to hurt his feelings. "Really? Why not?"

"At first, I was scared. I never had anyone so beautiful fall for me. And Joe is so patient. He told me whenever I was ready; we'd take the next step in our relationship, you know?"

"With everything that happened this week, I was so ready to give myself to him. I felt like he deserved it. Now that I think about it, I guess it wasn't fair to him. Who could think about sex at a time like this? Well, besides you and Ryder! Every time I pass your bedroom door, I hear you screaming." Freddie rolls his eyes.

I put my head down, from embarrassment, as we both laugh. I look up at him and smile. "I'm sorry, Fred."

He smiles back at me. "Don't apologize. And I know the sex thing didn't scare him off. This life we have isn't for the faint-hearted. He has to accept my life if he wants to be with me, you know? I will never leave Ryder like he's never left me. If anyone wants to be with me, that's the only condition."

Two days have passed.

Ryder left early yesterday morning on an assignment. I'm upset, but I didn't show it. There's been enough tension between us, and I don't want him leaving upset. I am his peace, and he should feel that every time he comes home to me.

We also haven't heard from Joe, which has Freddie very emotional.

Before Ryder left, I convinced him to give me Joe's home address.

I want to have a heart to heart with him. I also want to make sure he isn't too traumatized by everything that has happened.

Ryder shook his head and called me nosy as he wrote down the address. I didn't care.

I am helping my best friend with his prince charming. It's all that matters to me at this point.

I drive to the address, which isn't that far at all.

Joe lives in a small apartment complex down the mountain. It's a lovely area too. It's a brick building, and everyone has flowers and plants on their balconies.

God, I miss my flower shop!

There are about eight apartments inside. Right across the street is a plaza, with ten or more stores in it. Joe is lucky! If he needs food, clothes, or miscellaneous items, he can walk right across the street to get them.

I walk into the building and make my way upstairs to apartment three.

I ring the doorbell.

As I wait for an answer, a young couple walks by me and up to the next landing. The man whispers something to the woman, and they both howl in laughter. I smile as I think about Ryder.

No answer.

I ring it again.

Nothing.

Maybe he's at the cafe?

I decide to leave at that point. I'll try again later tonight or even tomorrow.

When I get to the parking lot, I see Joe talking to an older man across the street. When Joe sees me, he does a double-take.

I wave at him.

Joe shakes the guy's hand and makes his way towards me, carrying a brown paper bag full of groceries.

He smiles at me as he crosses the street. "Wow! I didn't expect ever to see you here. Wait, is Freddie okay?! Everything fine?" He looks so concerned.

I smile and nod. "I'm here for you, Joe! Freddie told me how you walked out on him. On all of us. I know this past week hasn't been easy on you, on any of-"

Joe puts his hand up. I close my mouth.

He looks crestfallen. "I love Freddie. I'm not going anywhere, and he should know that. I'm just scared to see that woman again. I didn't tell Freddie, but after your fight in the storm, I thought, what if that was my stalker? What if she found me, you know? I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me."

Joe puts his head down as his eyes start to fill with tears.

I feel so bad for both him and Freddie. It's evident they both love one another. However, circumstances are pulling them apart.

As a friend to them both, I can't let that happen! I won't let it happen!

"No! Listen. If that was the stalker, I'd gladly fight her off a thousand times if it meant she didn't come near you. We fight for one another! We are a family. That's what we do!"

He smiles, shedding a single tear. He wipes it with his hand.

"And I heard you feel like you don't belong in our home? That's nonsense, Joesph! Don't ever feel that way. I've, honestly, never had a big family. Everyone around me was paid to care. That's all. The more love I'm surrounded with, the better. You have to understand that being with Freddie won't be a walk in the park. In Ryder's line of work, we all are considered targets."

Joe nods. He knows exactly what I mean. "Yeah, Freddie told me. There may always be a bullseye on our backs."

He puts his head down. I know he's feeling like crap, so I have to make him feel better.

"Enough of this sentimental stuff! I need the mall and a Starbuck's companion. After that, you're coming home with me. What do you say, Joe? Freddie is at home sulking. I don't like Freddie when he's sulking."

He instantly perks up. "Sure! I have to put my groceries inside, and we can go."

Joe goes to turn around but hesitates. "You want to check out my place? Nothing special. It's probably as big as your closet."

I take his hand and begin walking to the front of the building.

Freddie is going to be so happy when I walk back into the house with Joe!

"So how's the shoulder feel-"

Suddenly, a massive explosion erupts right in front of us. I put my hands in front of my face as I feel the intense heat. My breath is knocked out of me as the explosion throws Joe and I a few feet into the air.

A huge fireball explodes from the first floor of Joe's apartment building. Everyone around us screams.